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Post by Bob on Oct 18, 2022 13:55:04 GMT -5
No. I just finished polish week in 20lb barrel that is usually for coarse grind. Cleaned it thoroughly though. Perhaps I could have accidentally misled. I never use a barrel for a given abrasive or polish unless prior to it the same was done or the prior step. Some examples: If running 600 grit, I would not do it unless the prior batch was 600 or 220, and I do not wash the barrel out. In fact, I leave about 1/2" of slurry in the bottom. If the prior batch was 80 or larger, I would not next do 600, meaning skip 220, even if I scrubbed the barrel and washed it well first. If running polish, I would not do it unless the prior batch was burnish, polish, or 1,000 grit. And if not polish, I would rinse the barrel (scrub it actually and rinse) very thoroughly. By not skipping any step in a given barrel, my theory is that the chance of even one stray grit particle being embedded in the rubber somewhere is greatly reduced. I also have dedicated lid liners for every grit level. I have them all on lids though so don't have to remove liners and put on a different lid.
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Post by Starguy on Oct 18, 2022 15:27:01 GMT -5
Hi Patty liveoakSorry I’m a little late to the discussion.. If it is well cleaned, one barrel is all you need. I use separate barrels but the only advantage is cleaning time. I have several barrels, so why not.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Oct 18, 2022 21:03:00 GMT -5
I do all my coarse grinding in a 6 or 12 pound barrel. Then I run 220 - 500 - 1000 and polish in my 3 pounders. (Sometimes I'll run 220 in my 6 pounder.) I use Silicon carbide for coarse and 220, and Aluminum oxide for the other grits. Sometimes I do 2 rounds in the 220 - if I don't like how the stones look back at me . . . I don't have competition quality polishes, but I get a better shine than what I see in most rock shops.
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Post by liveoak on Oct 19, 2022 6:55:14 GMT -5
Thanks everyone.
I'm still in the tumbling waiting mode.
But I have a pretty efficient faster tumbler for grinding.
And from the consensus here it sounds like my pre-polish and polish barrels could interchange.
That keeps it easy - and I like easy.
Patty
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